Fund101: Vote for your July favourite!
Posted: Mon 1st Jul 2013
We're delighted to announce that we've selected our shortlist of five great small enterprises for Fund101 for July. Based on YOUR votes, two of the five below will receive up to £500 to help finance an idea that will improve their business.
We received an amazing 344 applications for the July round and it was quite a task for us and Fund101 sponsor PayPal to make a final selection. But we think we've got five great small businesses that are fully deserving of your support. Please do take a read of the summaries below, then visit the Fund101 Candidates' page to click through to their full applications and to cast your vote. Voting is open until July 31st and the mechanism is simple: the two companies with the most votes by the end of the day on 31st July will receive the money they've applied for. We'll announce our two winners in early August, along with the August shortlist. Here's the Fund101 shortlist for July
1. bookish
West Sussex-based bookish creates and sells a unique range of handmade 'bookish' products inspired by books, typography, ink, pencils and paper. Many are made from recycled, upcycled or repurposed books and book-related materials. Owner Jo Morey is seeking £500 to develop and promote new lines of the company's popular paper roses in order to break into new markets. Read the bookish application.
2. Chillicious
Chillicious, owned by Stacey Galfskiy, is a unique art and food venture that creates delicious chilli food products and an innovative range of chilli inspired fused glass. The Ceres-based company is seeking £150 to help pay for a deposit on a new, larger workshop that would enable the business to expand its range of glass classes. Read the Chillilicious application.
3. Ji Ji Kiki
Swansea-based Ji Ji Kiki is an independent online boutique, owned and run by Emma Coles, which sells cute and vintage inspired clothing, jewellery and accessories handmade by independent artists. Emma is seeking £500 towards developmentof a mobile website with increased functionality, such as wishlists, faster checkout and social media sharing options. Read Ji Ji Kiki's application.
4. Sizzling Science
Sizzling Science, based in Inverness, celebrates the beauty and fun in science by selling science-based toys, party supplies, lab coats and homewares. Owner Meanie Riddell is seeking £500 to spend on product development and safety testing as the company looks to increase its range and appeal  with its own products in its relaunched online store. Read the Sizzling Science application.
5. Victoria Mae Designs
Watford-based Victoria Mae Designs is a ceramic business offering fresh new designs on British made bone china. Country Homes and Interiors Magazine and Living Etc have both shown interest in featuring owner Victoria Galtrey's unique products, but she doesn't have the funds to stock up to meet anticipated demand. Victoria's seeking £500 to invest in new stock so she can maximise her sales following media exposure. Read the Victoria Mae Designs application.
Vote for your favourite
You can vote for your favourite candidate by simply clicking the 'Vote for me' button on the right hand side of their application page. Remember, only two of the businesses above will receive the funding, based on your votes. The closing date for voting is 31st July. Want to raise money for YOUR small enterprise?
Enterprise Nation and PayPal are accepting applications for the August round of Fund101. It's easy to apply â€" just fill out the application form by 24th July. You can apply for up to £500 and we'll then shortlist five applications with PayPal, to go live for voting on 1st August. Make your application!
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